Wisconsin proposes teaching Hmong history

MADISON — Wisconsin lawmakers on Thursday proposed requiring schools to teach about the Hmong people, saying suspicion of the community could be eased by an understanding of their past as U.S. allies in the Vietnam War.

The bill, backed by a group of state Assembly Democrats, is identical to one proposed in April 2005 that died when lawmakers adjourned last year. Sponsors said racial tensions rekindled by this month's homicide of a Hmong hunter could build support for passage this year...

"All of the difficulties that the Hmong face and experience in the U.S. are due to the fact that there is no formal teaching about the Hmong to the general public," said Za Blong Vang, president of the Hmong Community of Wisconsin. He spoke in Hmong but provided an English translation of his remarks.